Biomedical Waste Management PDF

# NURSING FOUNDATION ## Introduction * Introduction * Definition * Types * Sources * Effects of Biomedical Waste * Methods of Disosal of Bio Medical Waste * Steps in Biomedical Waste and Colour Coding for Segregation of Biomedical Waste * Role of Nurse in Bio Medical Waste Management ## Waste * Wa...

# NURSING FOUNDATION ## Introduction * Introduction * Definition * Types * Sources * Effects of Biomedical Waste * Methods of Disosal of Bio Medical Waste * Steps in Biomedical Waste and Colour Coding for Segregation of Biomedical Waste * Role of Nurse in Bio Medical Waste Management ## Waste * Wastes Solid waste Household waste Industrial waste Biomedical waste or hospital waste Liquid Waste Gaseous Waste WASTES "Something which is not put into proper usage at a given time". ## Bio Medical Waste * Biomedical waste or hospital waste is any kind of waste containing infectious (or potentially infectious) materials. It may also include waste associated with the generation of biomedical waste that visually appears to be of medical or laboratory origin (e.g. packaging, unused bandages, infusion kits etc.), as well research laboratory waste containing biomolecules or organisms that are * Biomedical waste is a type of biowaste. * Biomedical waste may be solid or liquid. * Biomedical waste is generated from biological and medical sources and activities, such as the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases. * Any waste which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals or in research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biological. ## Types of Bio Medical Waste ### Infectious Waste * Infectious waste suspected to contain pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi) in sufficient quantity to cause diseases in susceptible hosts. * This category includes: * Cultures and stocks of infectious agents from laboratory work. * Waste from surgery on patients with infectious disease. * Infected animals from laboratories. ### Pathological Waste * It consists of tissues, organs, body parts, human fetuses, and animal carcasses, blood, and body fluids. ### Sharps * These are the items that could cause cuts or puncture wounds, including: * Needles, * Scalpel and other blades, * Knives, * Infusion sets, * Saws, * Broken glass, and nails. ### Pharmaceutical Waste * It includes expired, unused, spilt, and contaminated * Pharmaceutical products, * Drugs, * Vaccines, and sera ### Genotoxic Waste * Genotoxic waste is highly hazardous and * Mutagenic, Teratogenic, or Carcinogenic. * It raises serious safety problems, both inside hospitals and after disposal, and should be given special attention. * It includes certain cytostatic drugs, vomit, urine, or feces from patients treated with cytostatic drugs, chemicals, and radioactive material. ### Chemical Waste * It consists of discarded Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous chemicals * Chemical waste may be hazardous or nonhazardous. It is considered to be hazardous if it has at least one of the following properties: Toxic, Corrosive (acids of pH < 2 and bases of pH> 12) Flammable, Reactive Genotoxic ### Wastes with High Content of Heavy Metals * It represents a subcategory of hazardous chemical waste, and is usually highly toxic. It includes Batteries, Broken thermometer, Blood-pressure gauges. ### Pressurized Containers * Many types of gas are used in health care, and are often stored in pressurized cylinders, cartridges, and aerosol cans. Most common gases used in health care includes: Anesthetic gases, Ethylene oxide Oxygen, Compressed air. ### Radioactive Waste * It includes the X-rays, a- and ẞ- particles, and y- rays emitted by radioactive substances. * a-particles, are heavy positively charged, and include protons and neutrons. * They have low penetration power, and are hazardous to humans mostly when inhaled or ingested. * ẞ- Particles, are negatively or positively charged electrons with significant ability to penetrate human skin, they affect health through ionization of intracellular proteins and proteinaceous components. * y- Rays, are electromagnetic radiations similar to X- rays but to shorter wavelength. Their penetrating power is high and lead shielding is required to ## Sources of Biomedical Waste * It is generated primarily from health care establishments, including * Hospitals, * Nursing homes, * Veterinary hospitals, * Clinics and general practitioners, * Dispensaries, * Blood banks, * Animal houses and research institute. ### Other Sources * **Households**: The domestic sector generates biomedical waste to a small extent which is less than about 0.5% of the total waste generated in a household. * The type of biomedical waste generated in a household are syringes, cotton swabs, discarded medicines, bandages, plaster, sanitary napkins, diapers etc. * **INDUSTRIES, EDUCATION INSTITUTES AND RESEARCH CENTERS**: These also generate bio- medical waste in substantial quantities. * The type of waste generated from an animal houses is typically animal tissues, organs, body parts, carcasses, body fluids, blood etc., * **BLOOD BANKS AND CLINICAL LABORATORIES**: Blood banks and laboratories generate most of the categories of biomedical waste. * **HEALTH CARE ESTABLISHMENTS**: The sources of bio-medical waste generated in health care setting. ## Effects of Biomedical Waste * The improper management of biomedical waste causes serious environmental problems in terms of Air, Water and Land pollution. ### Air Pollution * Air pollution can be caused in both indoors and outdoors. * Biomedical waste that generates air pollution is of three types: * Biological, * Chemical, * Radioactive. * **Indoor air pollution**: Hospital Acquired Infections (Nosocomial infection). Indoor air pollution can caused due to: * Poor ventilation * The paints, carpet, furniture, equipment's, etc., used in the rooms. * Use of chemicals, disinfectants, fumigants etc. * **Outdoor air pollution**: Outdoor air pollution can be caused by pathogens. * When waste without pretreatment is being transported outside the institution, or if it is dumped openly, pathogens can enter the atmosphere i.e. drinking water, food stuff, soil etc. ### Water Pollution * Biomedical waste can cause water pollution. If the waste is dumped in low-lying areas, or into lakes and water bodies, can cause severe water pollution. * Treatment or disposal option can also cause water pollution. * Water pollution can either be caused due to biological, chemicals or radioactive substances. ### Land Pollution * Open dumping of biomedical waste is the greatest cause for land pollution. * Soil pollution from bio-medical waste is caused due to infectious waste, discarded medicines, chemicals. * Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, etc., which are present in the ## Methods of Disosal of Bio Medical Waste and their segregation | WASTE CATEGORY | TYPE OF WASTE | TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OPTION | |---|---|---| | Category No. 1 | Human Anatomical Waste (Human tissues, organs, body parts) | Incineration/deep burial | | Category No. 2 | Animal Waste (Animal tissues, organs, body parts, carcasses, bleeding parts, fluid, blood and experimental animals used in research, waste generated by veterinary hospitals and colleges, discharge from hospitals,) | Incineration/deep burial | | Category No. 3 | Microbiology & Biotechnology Waste (Wastes from laboratory cultures, stocks or specimen of live microorganisms, human and animal cell cultures used in research and infectious agents from research and industrial laboratories, wastes from production of biological, toxins and devices used for transfer of cultures) | Local autoclaving/microwaving/incineration | | Category No. 4 | Waste Sharps (Needles, syringes, scalpels, blades, glass, etc. that may cause puncture and cuts. This includes both used and unused sharps) | Disinfecting (chemical treatment@@/autoclaving/ microwaving and mutilation/shredding | | Category No. 5 | Discarded Medicine and Cytotoxic drugs (Wastes comprising of outdated, contaminated and discarded medicines) | Incineration@/destruction and drugs disposal in secured landfills | | Category No. 6 | Soiled Waste (Items contaminated with body fluids including cotton, dressings, soiled plaster casts, lines, bedding and other materials contaminated with blood.) | Incineration@/autoclaving/microwaving | | Category No. 7 | Solid Waste (Waste generated from disposable items other than the waste sharps such as tubing catheters intravenous sets | Disinfecting by chemical treatment@@/autoclaving/microwaving and mutilation/shredding | | Category No. 8 | Liquid Waste (Waste generated from the laboratory and washing, cleaning, housekeeping and disinfecting activities) | Disinfecting by chemical treatment@@ and discharge into drains | | Category No. 9 | Incineration Ash (Ash from incineration of any biomedical waste) | Disposal in municipal landfill | | Category No.10 | Chemical Waste (Chemicals used in production of biological, chemicals used in disinfecting, as insecticides, etc.) | Chemical treatment @@ and discharge into drains for liquids and secured landfill | ## Steps of waste management * **Step 1**: Segregation * **Step 2**: Collection and storage * **Step 3**: Transportation * **Step 4**: Treatment and Disosal ## Colour Coding and Type of Container for Disposal of Biomedical Waste | Color Coding | Type of Container | Waste Category | Treatment Options | |---|---|---|---| | Yellow | Plastic bag | Cat. 1, 2,3,6 | Incineration/deep burial | | Red | Disinfected container/Plastic bag | Cat 3,6,7 | Autoclave/Microwave/ Chemical Treatment | | Blue/White translucent | Puncture proof container | Cat 4,7 | Autoclave/Microwave/ Chemical Treatment & destruction/shredding | | Black | Plastic bag | Cat 5,9,10 | Disposal in secured ## Role of Nurse in Biomedical Waste Management * REGULAR VISIT TO ALL WARDS AND HIGH RISK UNITS. * ENSURING THAT SAMPLES (BLOOD, STOOL, URINE ETC) ARE COLLECTED AND DISPOSE SAFELY. * MONITORING AND SUPERVISING THE STAFF WHETHER THEY ARE DOING SAFE DISPOSAL OF WASTE AS COLOUR CODED. * PREVENTION OF HOSPITAL ACQUIRED INFECTIONS BY FOLLOWING UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS. * USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WHILE HANDLING WASTE. * Avoid needle stick injuries. * Collect waste when the bin is 3/4th full. * Avoid using common lift to move waste. * Avoid spillage. * Clean spills with disinfectant. * Never overload bins used for storing Bio Medical Waste * General waste to be put in black container. ### Precautions Taken During Bio Medical Waste Management * Display the Bio-Hazardous Symbol and the types of waste to be put in each container as per Schedule * Never transfer sharps directly from person to person * Do not inhale chemicals directly. **Use Personal Protective Equipment while Handling Waste** * The image depicts the following PPE: * Blue gloves * Safety Glasses * Ear Protections * Respirator Mask * Green Hard Hat * Full Face Respirator Mask * Leather Gloves * Face Shield * Blue Lab Coat ## Thank You * There are two images in the document. The first image shows a globe with arrows circling it. The second image depicts a mountain range with a slogan "Waste Less and Recycle More".